***The Act***

Daniel lay in bed. Emma beside him. Her breathing deep. Steady. Asleep.

He waited. Counted her breaths. Made sure.

Twenty minutes. Thirty. An hour.

Then he moved. Slow. Careful. Slid out from under the covers.

Emma didn't stir. Didn't wake.

Daniel grabbed his phone from the nightstand. His keys. His wallet.

Walked to the door. Opened it slowly. No sound. No creaks.

Out into the hallway. Past Liam's room. Past Sophia's. Past ...